Exercising apparatus



19341- 1 v. c. LUPPERT I 1,983,911

EXERC I S ING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 1 DecQll,1934. v Q LUPPERT 1,983,911

EXERC I S ING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill Dec.11, 1934. v. c. LUPPERT HXERCISING APPARATUS I Filed Dec. 10, 1951 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 11, 1934 1,933,,iill

smear orgies EXEROISING APPARATUS Valentine C. Luppert, Williamsport,Pa.

Application. December 10, 1931, Serial No. 580,138

14 Claims.

This inventionrelatesto improvements in exercising machines and moreespecially to a novel exercising device of the type including springretracted winding rollers. 7

One of the objects of the invention; is to provide a machine of thistype, including a pair of tapes which are woundbyspring action on wheelsor pull ys, the construction being such that either tape may be-unwoundindependently of the other, or both; tapes may beunwound and woundsimultaneously.

Another object is to, furnish such anmachine in which the springs thatcooperate with the tape pulleys may be simultaneously adjusted forproperly tensioning the same; so that the machine may be used by a,child having little strength, or by amancf great strength.

A still further object is toprovide an apparatus of this character,wherein the springs and tape rollers are of unitary construction topermit the unit to be mounted on a wall, floor,.

or on a base which may form an exercising machine of the rowing-type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring unit forexercising machines, in which spring means may be employed incombinationwith each tape roller, each springof said-means having coils ofsubstantially the same lengthas the shaft on which they are mounted.

A still further object is to provide an exercising machine of therowing'type comprising improved means for retainingthe seat onthe Itracks and for preventing the tracks from spreading or moving toward oneanother.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in View whichwill appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in thenovel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out, in theappended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the entire machine partly in horizontalsection.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional, View on the linev 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a. transverse vertical sectional view of a detail on the line44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the springassemblyor unit of the ma chine, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is avertical sectional, view of a detail on the line 6-6 of Fig.5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view on a reduced scale, of the shell or coverof the spring assembly.

Fig. 8 is an end view of one of the tape rollers or pulleys.

Fig. 9 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing a modification inwhicha single tape and roller only areused.

Fig. 11 isa perspective view of a modified form of cover-or casing forthe spring unit.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a modification.

Fig=13 is a view similar to Fig. 5, of a further modification.

Referring to the drawings, 15 designates one of my improved exercisingmachine spring units orassemblies. As best shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5 to- 9inclusiva'such unit comprises a pair of circular-end plates 16 providedwith oppositely directed armsl'l that may be detachably connected to awall, floor or exercising machine base. As illustrated inv said figures,these end plates seatin semi-circular recesses 18 in the side bars 19 ofabase, and the arms 17 are rigidly secured to said base by any suitablemeans which will-permit detachment of theunit from the base. Forexample, the base may be provided with threaded shanks 20 to receivewing nuts 21 which clamp thearms to'the'forward ends 01" the sidebars ofthebase.

A cylindrical shell or cover 22 for the unit has its ends seated incircular grooves 23 in the end plates, and in this way thecover isvrigidly fastened to the end plates. Thelatter provides bearings 24 fora rotatable shaft 25 which has threaded endsprotruding through the endplates and provided with nuts 26. One end portion of the shaft is ofangular formation as shown at 27, and this portion of the shaft isrigidly secured-bybne of the nuts to a crank 28 having a handle 29. Thehandle accommodates a spring-pressed plunger or latch 30 having a knob31- at its outer end. The end of the plunger nearest the adjacent endplate forms a pin which may enter anyone of a series of cavities 32which extend in a circular series around one face of one of the endplates.

Washers 33 are provided between the nuts and the end plates to preventthe nuts from accidentally unscrewing when the shaft is turned. Pulleys34 are rotatably mounted on the shaft adjacent tothe end plates, andeach pulley has a rim 35, alongitudinal slot 36, and a circular internalcavity 37. The slot of the pulley, among. other things, permits theanchor 38. of

a Wound tape 39 to be arranged within the cavity 37 while the tapeitself extends through the slot, as best shown at 40 in Fig. 6. Theopposite end of each tape is provided with a handle 41 as shown in Figs.1 and 3.

The cavity of each roller receives one end of an outer coil spring 42,one extremity of which extends into the slot as shown at 43 for anchoring this end of the spring to the pulley. The opposite end of the springis anchored as shown at 44.- in the peripheral slot 45 of a collar 46which is rotatably mounted on the shaft. A Washer 47 arranged betweenthese collars permits either one of the same to rotate independent ofthe other.

For the purpose of preventing damaging or distortion of the spring 42when the tape is unwound and the spring is wound, a stop tube 18 isarranged within the spring and has its ends seated respectively upon thebosses 49 and 50 of the collar and pulley.

In order to obtain maximum spring action, a second spring 51 is arrangedwithin the tube and has one of its ends anchored to the collar as shownat 52, and its other end anchored to the fixed collar 5301, as shown at53. An inner tube 54 prevents distortion of the inner spring.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the cover or casing 22 is notched at 55 toallow the tapes to be wound and unwound, and the springs arranged at oneside of the washer 47 are right hand, and the springs arranged at theleft are left hand. However, when the shaft 25 is turned by the handle29, all of said springs may be simultaneously tensioned. Of course, ifthe device is to be used by a child, slight tension only is used, and asthe strength of the individual builds up, greater tension can be placedon the springs by operating the handle 29 and placing the plunger pin inthe proper hole of the end plate.

Regardless of whether such unit is mounted on a wall, ceiling, floor orother suitable supporting surface, it will be understood that when apull is exerted on either one of the handles 41 and the tape 39 isunwound, its pulley 34 will act to wind the outer spring 42, and saidspring in turn will rotate the collar 46 and cause winding of the innerspring 51, as the end 53 of the latter is prevented from turning by thefixed collar 53a which is rigidly secured to the shaft. Of course, Whenpull on the handle 41 is diminished, the spring tends to unwind and thetape is rewound on its pulley.

A spring assembly or unit of this kind is particularly applicable toexercising machines of the rowing type. For instance, if it is placed onthe side bars 19 of such a machine, these bars may be rigidly connectedby a cross platform 56, and an end bar 57 to form a suitable base uponwhich a seat 58 may reciprocate. In accordance with the presentinvention, the seat is provided on its under side with depending strips59 and outer depending plates 60 in which the shafts 61 of suitablerollers 62 are journaled. Each of these rollers has an inner flange 63to bear against the beveled edge 64 of the side bar or track. Thisfeature prevents the seat from shifting laterally outwardly. Each baralso has a longitudinal outer groove 65 to receive the flange 66 at thelower end of the plate 60. This not alone prevents the bars fromspreading apart, but prevents the seat from jumping the track as it ismoved back and forth by the operator.

In operation, assuming that the operator is sitting on the seat 58 withhis feet resting on the casing 22. If he moves his body and limbs in amanner similar to that of a person rowing, the tapes will be alternatelywound and unwound, and at the same time, the seat will be moved towardand away from the spring unit.

Instead of using two tapes, as shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, all ofthe springs may act upon one tape. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, theshaft 25a is mounted and adjusted in the same manner as the one shown inFig. 5, and in this instance, a pair of collars 531) are fixed to theshaft and mounted at opposite sides of a centrally disposed pulley 34awhich is rotatably mounted on the shaft and acts as a spool for the tape39a. In this instance, one end of each of the outer springs 42a is fixedto the central pulley and its other end is fixed to a collar 46a thatrotates on the shaft. Inner springs 51a are also arranged about theshaft, and each of these springs has one of its ends anchored to thefixed collar 53b, and its other end anchored to the rotatable collar46a. Spring stop tubes 48a and 54a may also be used with thismodification. Obviously, with this form of the invention, the opening55a in the casing 22a to permit the passage of the tape, must bearranged at the center of the casing.

If two tape pulleys or rollers are used, I may, instead of employing twosprings for each pulley, employ a single spring as illustrated in Figs.12 and 13. In this embodiment, the shaft 251) is mounted and adjusted inthe same manner as in Figs. and 10, but here a collar 530 is fixed tothe shaft as well as to a tube 4%. In this instance, each spring is ofsubstantially the same length as the shaft, and the inner spring 51b hasone of its ends secured to the collar and its other end secured to oneof the tape rollers 3 11) which is rotatably mounted on the shaft.Another collar 531i is fixed to the tube, and the outer spring 42b hasone of its ends secured to the collar 53d, and its other end secured toa tape pulley 340 which also rotates on the shaft. It will be obviousfrom the description of the construction illustrated in Fig. 5, thatwhen the tapes of Figs. 12 and 13 are unwound and then wound, thepulleys will in turn wind the tapes and permit unwinding of the springs.

Where it is possible to employ a shaft of suflicient length, I can usesingle springs for each pulley, and each spring need only be aboutone-half the length of the shaft. For example, in Fig. 13, the shaft 250has fixed thereto at its medial portion, a collar 53c. Springs 420 and4211 are arranged at opposite sides of the collar, and their inner endsare fixed to the latter as shown at 425. The outer ends of the springsare secured to the tape pulleys 3le which are rotatably mounted on theshaft. In this embodiment also, a stop tube 48c may be employed toprevent distortion of each spring.

While I have disclosed what I now consider to be preferred embodimentsof the invention in such manner that they may be readily understood bythose skilled in the art, I am aware that changes may be made in thedetails disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, asexpressed in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springssurrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right toleft and the other being wound from left to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs-closing;operativelyconnectedsto saidshaft and ;to "the pulley meansgfor:causingwinding of.

shaft, coil springs surrounding the shaft, one .of'

saidisprings being wound from right toleft and the other. beingwoundfrom left to 'right,.pulley.

means rotatably mounted. on the shaft, said springs. beingoperativelyconnected to said shaft and. to the .pulley means; for causing windingofthe. springs when thepulleymeans is turned in one direction,v tape meanswound about the pul-. ley meansand adapted to .bepulledby the opereator.for:rotating:the .pulleyimeans in said. direc-.

tion; means'forcircumferentially adjusting thev shaft :forsimultaneously" andequally tensioning said springs, and meansxarrangedbetween'the springs and the shaft for preventing: distortion of. "thessprings when; the latter are wound.

3. An exercising device. including a. rotatable shaftcoil springssurrounding theshaft, one of said-springs being'wound fromright to leftand.

the other being wound'fromrleft to right, pulley meansrotatably mountedon the shaft, said springs being operatively connected to said shaftand-tothe pulley means forcausing winding of the-springs when,the'pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means woundabout thepulley means and adapted-to be pulled by the operator for rotatingthelpulley means in said direction,;,and means for circumferentiallyadjusting theshaf-t forsimultaneously; and equally tensioningsaidsprings, the last mentionedmeans comprising anplate in which the shaftrotates said plate havingv a circular .series of apertures, a handlefixed to the shaft, anda latch. engage.- able with any one of saidapertures for latching the-handle to 1 said "plate.

4. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springssurrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right toleft and the other being wound from left to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connectedto said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springswhen the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means Wound aboutthe pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotatingthe pulley means in said direction, means for circumferentiallyadjusting the shaft for simultaneously and equally tensioning saidsprings, plates in which the shaft is journaled, and a casing joiningthe plates and surrounding the springs, shaft and pulley means, saidcasing being ported to permit the passage of said tape means.

5. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springssurrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right toleft and the other being Wound from left to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connectedto said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springswhen the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound aboutthe pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotatingthe pulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentiallyadjusting the shaft for simultaneously and equalshaft, said; springsbeing operatively con nected to said shaft and. to the pulley means. forcausing. winding. of the springs when the pulley means is turned in onedirection,

tapemeans wound about the pulley means and adapted.- to be pulled bythe-operator for rotating the pulley means in said direction, and meansfor circumferentially adjusting the shaft for simultaneously: andequally. tensioningsaid springs, said pulley means. including a pulleyprovided with an annular cavity into which one end portionof one of thesprings extends.

I17; an exercisingdevicev including a rotatable shaft, ,coil springssurrounding (the shaft, one ofsaidsprings being wound. from. righttoleft and: the other being. wound from left to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said. springs being operativelyconnected-1 to said shaft. andto the pulley means, for causing. windingof the springs when the pulley means is turned in one direction, tapemeans-wound .aboutthe pulley means and adapted. to be pulled by theoperator .for'rotating the pulley means insaiddirection, and means forcircumferentially adjusting the shaftfor simultaneously and equallytensioning said springs,

of .said springs being-wound from right to left and the other beingwound from left to right, pulley means :rotatably mounted on the shaft,said springs being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulleymeans for causing winding of the springs when the pulley means is turnedin one direction, tape means wound about the pulley means and adapted tobe pulled by the operator for rotating the pulley means in saiddirection, and means for circumferentially adjusting the shaft forsimultaneously and equally tensioning said springs, one spring beingarranged at one side of the medial portion of the shaft, and the otherspring being arranged at the opposite side of the medial portion of theshaft, each spring being substantially equalin length to half the lengthof the shaft.

9. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springssurrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right toleft and the other being Wound from left to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connectedto said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springswhen the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound aboutthe pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotatingthe pulley means in said direction, means for circumferentiallyadjusting the shaft for simultaneously and equally tensioning saidsprings, and inner springs arranged within the first mennected to tionedsprings and forming a portion of the means for operatively connectingthe first mentioned springs to the shaft.

10. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springssurrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right toleft and the other being wound from left to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively consaidshaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springs whenthe pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound about thepulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating thepulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentiallyadjusting the shaft for simultaneously tensioning said springs, the tapepulley means comprising pulleys arranged at the opposite end portions ofthe shaft.

11. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springssurrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right toleft and the other being Wound from left to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connectedto said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springswhen the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound aboutthe pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotatingthe pulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentiallyadjusting the shaft for simultaneously and equally tensioning saidsprings, the tape pulley means comprising a single pulley arranged atthe omedial portion of the shaft.

12, An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springssurrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right toleft and the other being wound from left to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connectedto said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springswhen the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound aboutthe pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotating'thepulley means in said direction, and means for circumferentiallyadjusting the shaft for simultaneously tensioning said springs, eachspring being of substantially the same length as the shaft and being.

positioned one within the other.

13. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springssurrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right toleft and the other being wound from left to right, pulley meansrotatably mounted on the shaft, said springs being operatively connectedto said shaft and to the pulley means for causing winding of the springswhen the pulley means is turned in one direction, tape means wound aboutthe pulley means and adapted to be pulled by the operator for rotatingthe pulley means in said direction, and meansfor circumferentiallyadjusting the shaft for simultaneously tensioning said springs, eachspring being of substantially the same length as the shaft and beingarranged one within the other, and a stop tube positioned between thesprings;

14. An exercising device including a rotatable shaft, coil springssurrounding the shaft, one of said springs being wound from right toleft and the other being wound from left to right, pulleys rotatablymounted on the shaft and movable independently of each other, saidsprings being operatively connected to said shaft and to the pulleys forcausing winding of the springs when the pulleys are turned in onedirection, tapes wound about the pulleys, each tape having one of itsends secured to one of the pulleys, handles connected to the other endsof the tapes and adapted to be pulled by'the operator for rotating thepulleys in said direction, and means for circumferentially adjusting theshaft in a clock-wise or counter-clock-wise direction for simultaneouslyand equally tensioning or untensioning said springs.

VALENTINE C. LUPPERT.

